Why as a Designer you should participate in Hackathons!
“Diving Headfirst into the Caffeine-Fueled Chaos: An Unforgettable Ride at the WMN Hackathon!”
Introduction
Designers, gear up! Ever thought about how you’d fit into the high-stakes, no-sleep-allowed, caffeine-powered madness of a hackathon? The answer is like a unicorn amongst horses! That’s right, friends, a designer at a hackathon is as unique and surprising as a unicorn in a field of ponies! Now, let’s strap in for my roller-coaster ride at the WMN Hackathon by Devfolio. Buckle up, it’s going to be wild!
Jumping Into the Hackathon Mayhem
Picture this, a swarm of coders, all hammering away on their keyboards, their screens a blur of never-ending code. Having each other sitting next to them at the table, whom they could ask and solve their problems.
And there I was the designer, bringing a whole new perspective, a whole new color to the game. Our weapons?
Dazzling visuals, user-centric designs, and an uncanny knack for creating a killer user experience. And let’s not forget, the mighty power of the ‘undo’ button.
If you think a hackathon is all about coding, brace yourself for a revelation! It’s about learning, experimenting, and not being afraid to ask the “silly” questions.
Like when I found myself teaming up with Yashwanthi Manchala, an iOS developer. Oh boy, what a whirlwind of learning that was! I asked questions, I tested ideas, and I might’ve even messed up a bit (oops!), but the result? A treasure trove of knowledge that was worth it.
Rocking the Hackathon Community Vibe
Here’s the kicker about hackathons: they’re like rock concerts for techies! You get to meet some seriously awesome mentors and judges — the rock stars of the tech world. And best of all, you get to chat with them, pick their brains, learn from their experiences, and maybe even sneak in a selfie or two.
So, picture me, at the end of a workweek, dragging myself out of bed on a Saturday morning, contemplating whether I was about to ruin a perfectly good weekend. But let me tell you, this is one decision I’d make again in a heartbeat!
From Solo Rider to Part of a Badass Girl Gang
As I stepped into the hackathon, a solo player without a team, I had a backup plan ready: if things went south, I’d be out of there faster than you can say “coding”! But, what unfolded next was nothing short of a movie plot.
Fast-forward two hours and boom! An impromptu all-girls team had formed: Yashwanthi, Muskaan, Yuktha, and yours truly. We were a vibrant mix of backgrounds, languages, and experiences, but we united with one goal: shake things up!
About our Epic Hackathon Project
Our baby, our project was born out of coffee-fueled brainstorming sessions and a drive to make a difference. We called it FoodNet, our secret weapon to combat food waste and hunger. Picture this: restaurants with surplus food (because let’s face it, who hasn’t overestimated the crowd on karaoke night?) and NGOs trying to fill hungry bellies. Our platform connects the two, making sure excess food finds its way to those who need it the most. The cherry on top? We managed to bring technology, social responsibility, and community engagement together in a single platform.
The problem FoodNet solves
FoodNet solves the pressing issue of food waste and hunger by connecting restaurants and NGOs. With FoodNet, restaurants can easily donate their excess food instead of wasting it, while NGOs can efficiently access and distribute this surplus food to those in need. The platform streamlines the process, making it easier for restaurants to post available food donations and for NGOs to receive timely notifications about these donations. By leveraging technology, FoodNet ensures that excess food is redirected to where it is most needed, reducing food waste and addressing hunger in communities. This not only benefits the environment but also promotes social responsibility and fosters a sense of community engagement. FoodNet empowers individuals and organizations to make a meaningful impact in the fight against food waste and hunger.
The Sweet, Sweet Taste of Victory!
Remember our project, FoodNet?
Yeah, the one born out of a crazy hackathon ride? Well, guess what? We bagged the №2 spot in quadratic voting at WMN 2023!
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So, the next time you wonder if you should dive into the chaotic fun of a hackathon, remember this story, and go for it! Who knows, you might just be the next unicorn to leave a mark in the hackathon world!
Some Fun photos from Hackathon
We had a lot of fun during the hackathon, it was great.
@yashwanthi_m, @muskaanngupta, Yuktha and I worked on building FoodNet, at wmn; 2023!
We met each other for the first time at the venue, in our uncomfortable space but within 24 hours, we managed to create a product and a bond as well!
